Kosovo and Serbia hold productive talks on missing persons in Brussels
The trilateral meeting between Kosovo’s chief negotiator Besnik Bislimi, Serbia’s chief negotiator Petar Petković, and EU envoy for the dialogue Miroslav Lajčák has concluded in Brussels. The discussions, part of the ongoing dialogue process between the two countries, lasted for over two hours.
Why is this important: The meeting marked a significant step forward in addressing the sensitive issue of missing persons, a humanitarian concern for both sides. After years of delays, both parties confirmed the establishment of a Joint Commission to oversee the implementation of the Declaration on Missing Persons, which was signed in May 2023.
Context: Following the talks, Bislimi announced that preparations for the first session of the Joint Commission would take place next month. He emphasized that Serbia had assured its cooperation and commitment to avoid hindering the commission’s work in the future.
Petković echoed the sentiment, underlining that the final obstacle to implementing the declaration had been removed. He stressed that this step would empower the working group, led by the International Committee of the Red Cross, to advance efforts in locating missing persons. For Serbia, Petković noted, the issue is primarily humanitarian and demands swift resolution.
However, Petković also reiterated the importance of forming the Association of Serb-Majority Municipalities (ASM), describing it as a “key issue” for Serbs in Kosovo and for Belgrade.
The Kosovo Government Commission on Missing Persons welcomed the outcome, calling it a milestone after three years of continuous negotiations. The commission highlighted the new body’s role in addressing delays, ensuring full cooperation, and resolving ongoing disputes, particularly Serbia’s alleged lack of transparency.
The Declaration on Missing Persons, signed by Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić on May 2, obliges both parties to provide full access to documents, including classified ones, to assist in locating the missing.
What’s next: The European Union has called on both Kosovo and Serbia to implement the Declaration on Missing Persons without further delays and to uphold all commitments under the broader normalization agreement. The establishment of the Joint Commission is seen as a test of both parties’ willingness to cooperate on critical humanitarian and political issues.
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